MARY POPPINS Returns! Plays Aurora Theatre in North Georgia!

Recent
Broadway sensation, Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, The
BroadwayMusical,sweeps metro-Atlanta with laughter and
fun to open Aurora Theatre’s 19th Season Signature Series July
17-August 31.

Co-created by Cameron Mackintosh with additional music and
lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the musical tells the story of
everyone’s favorite “practically perfect” nanny who falls from the sky and into
the hearts of the dysfunctional Banks family.

With the help of a carefree
chimney sweep named Bert, she teaches the family the immeasurable benefits of
love, joy, and mutual respect for one another one magical lesson at a time.
Produced with dazzling theatrical effects and a score that includes Chim-Chim
Cher-ee, A Spoonful of Sugar, and Step in Time, rediscover the
Walt Disney classic that has touched the hearts of audiences for more than 45
years.

“I have wanted to open the season with a great family
musical for some time now, but had not found the perfect show – when Mary
Poppins became available, I knew that we had our show,” said Anthony
Rodriguez, Aurora Theatre producing artistic director.

“Through the generosity
and support of two angel donors dedicated to the arts here in Gwinnett, I’m
happy to say we will have the resources to bring in specialists to make actors
fly, villains disappear, and create the more than 200 period-specific costumes
for this production. When you have individuals in your corner like Clyde and
Sandra Strickland and Marshall Boutwell, anything is possible.”

A musical based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the
Walt Disney Film with original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and
Robert B. Sherman, Mary
Poppins promises to be the biggest spectacle
in Aurora Theatre history with a production even bigger than last season’s
unparalleled hit Les Misérables.

Aurora has enlisted the aid of
D2 Flying Effects to help create some of the magic moments and 200 unique and
period-specific costumes have been created for this production. The 28-person
cast includes Galen Crawley (Shrek the Musical; Alliance Theatre) as the
iconic, magical English nanny Mary Poppins. As Mary’s artistic and
mischievous sidekick Bert, is Andy Meeks (Rent; National Tour) who
returns to the stage after a four-year absence to start a family and help start
the company Scoutmob. The cast also includes standouts William S. Murphey as
George Banks, Liza Jaine as Winifred Banks, Heidi Cline McKerley as Miss
Andrew, Geoff Uterhardt as Admiral Boom, and Jessica DeMaria as Mrs. Brill.

The cast also includes four
adorable youngsters who will alternate playing the Banks children with Mabel
Tyler and Sarah Carroll playing Jane, and Joseph Masson and Benjamin Harding as
Michael. Aurora Associate Artistic Director Justin Anderson directs and heads
the talented creative team including Aurora Theatre Associate Producer and
Resident Music Director Ann-Carol Pence and choreographer Jen MacQueen. Making
the magic happen is the design team of Shannon Robert (set), Sydney Roberts
(costumes), Mary Parker (lights), Ryan Bradburn (props), and Daniel Terry
(sound).

Ideal for all ages, Disney’s Mary Poppins, The
Broadway Musical is presented July 17- August 31.

Discount matinees
are available Wednesday, August 6, 13, and 20 at 10 a.m. for $20 per person. Tickets
can be purchased online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Ticket
Sales Office at 678-226-6222. Regular show times are as follows:

·Wednesday- Friday: 8 p.m.

·Saturday: 2:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.

·Sunday: 2:30 p.m.

There will be no evening performance on Wednesday,
August 6

Exclusively for this production, youngsters ages 6-12 are
invited to participate in a Jolly Holiday Party on Saturday, July 26
and August 16 at 1:15 p.m. The festivities include activities and photos
with Mary Poppins and Bert, as well as a special snack. Tickets are $10 per
person with purchase of a ticket to the corresponding day’s matinee.

Disney’s Mary Poppins, The
Broadway Musical was adapted from the
novel written by Julian Fellowes and the motion picture produced by Walt Disney
Productions; it is presented through the Peach State Federal Credit Union
Signature Series.

Now
in its 19th Season, Aurora Theatre produces professional live
entertainment to suit everyone’s taste. Aurora Theatre is home to over 600
events each year. Two series of theatrical productions, the Peach State Federal
Credit Union Signature Series and the GGC Harvel Lab Series, are comprised of
the biggest Broadway plays and musicals alongside exciting contemporary
theatre. Additionally, Aurora produces concerts, stand‑up comedy, children’s
programs, metro Atlanta’s top haunted attraction Lawrenceville Ghost Tours, as
well as Atlanta’s only professional Spanish language theatre, Teatro Del Sol.
Aurora Theatre is a world‑class theatrical facility with two performance
venues. Nestled on the square in historic downtown Lawrenceville, Aurora has
FREE attached covered parking and is surrounded by restaurants and shops.
Aurora Theatre has garnered numerous accolades highlighted by recent
achievements that include winner of Seven 2013 Suzi Bass Awards, Creative
Loafing’s “2010 Best Theatre Company,” Georgia Trend Magazine’s “2011 Best
Places to Work in Georgia,” Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “2012 Best Places to
Work”, Atlanta Magazine’s “Best of Atlanta 2013” and the Georgia Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 President and CEO Award for Excellence in Arts.

Programming
in Aurora Theatre’s 19th Season Signature Series is possible through generous
support from Peach State Federal Credit Union. Mary Poppins is sponsored
by Peach State Federal Credit Union with additional support from Clyde and
Sandra Strickland, Garrard and Coles Barton LLP.